Las Vegas rocks around the clock

Sin City panders to nostalgia

The 4,000-capacity Joint provides an arena-like feel, but with impeccable sound and no seats farther than 155 feet from the stage.

Photograph by: Ethan Miller
, Getty Images

Remember when rock 'n' roll meant packed arenas with huge stages, wild guitar solos, dry ice and Bic lighters held high? If you're nostalgic for yesterday's over-the-top rock, head to a place where that vision lives on: Las Vegas.

The Hard Rock Hotel, just east of the bustling Strip, is a perfect starting point for your Sin City party. After checking in, you can chill like a rock star, lounging by the outdoor Nirvana Pool or enjoying the Reliquary Spa's "drumsticks massage," which incorporates tapping with bamboo reeds - and actually feels much better than, say, getting thumped by Alex Van Halen.

If you missed Def Leppard's residency this spring at The Joint, the Hard Rock's on-site theatre, get your '80s air-punching fix with Motley Crue during their 12-show run (Sept. 18-Oct. 6). The 4,000-capacity Joint provides an arena-like feel, but with impeccable sound and no seats farther than 155 feet from the stage.

Another rockin' Vegas hotel is The Palms. Its 2007-launched Pearl Theater, which takes 2,500 spectators, also delivers great sightlines and concerts, featuring classic rockers like Yes (July 12) and Depeche Mode (Oct. 6).

Artists such as Elton John and Journey have recorded at the hotel's state-of-the-art Studio Y.

"The cool thing is that Vegas is a true 24/7 city," said studio director Zoe Thrall. "It lives on the schedule that artists use to make records."

If you want to cut some tunes yourself, the base rate is $1,500 daily.

Splurging on your dreams is what Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp is all about.

This innovative, Vegas-headquartered enterprise enables aspiring musicians to learn from and jam with stars like Alice Cooper, Bret Michaels and Roger Daltrey. You might see a nine-year-old virtuoso like guitarist Benjamin Bluestein shredding through Ozzy Osbourne's Crazy Train, or get hands-on drumming tips from ex-Dio skinsman Vinnie Appice.

Four-day camp packages start at around $6,000, while a Rock Star for a Day option, starting at $299, lets you record with a pro musician.

Prefer to stay in the audience? Check out Raiding the Rock Vault, a new multimedia show at the Las Vegas Hotel.

For Beatles fans, Cirque du Soleil's LOVE musical at The Mirage is a must-see. An incredible Back in the U.S.S.R. trampoline act and a surreal aerial ballet set to Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds are among the highlights at the custom-built, circular theatre.

Rock of Ages (at the Venetian), the hair-metal spoof that became a Tom Cruise movie, and Million Dollar Quartet (at Harrah's), a Tony Award-winning musical about a legendary 1956 Sun Records jam session, are also worthy evenings out.

Hungry? Try the Hard Rock Hotel's restaurants. You can nosh on soft pretzels with provolone fondue at Culinary Dropout, or split a 35-day-aged, 35-ounce Tomahawk Chop with a friend at the swanky 35 Steaks + Martinis.

Tuck into Jack and Coke BBQ Ribs and enjoy the sunshine and people-watching on the Strip-side patio at Sammy Hagar's Cabo Wabo Cantina.

Into high-end shopping? Buy a $9,500 Gene Simmons-autographed bass or a $25,000 Elvis Presley-signed guitar at The Art of Music, a pop-culture memorabilia store with three Vegas locations.

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